Camelot and Cinderella auditions

Detail from the poster of the 1967 film version of the musical Camelot, which teamed Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..BY BILLY SUTER

DURBAN’S award-winning independent theatre company, KickstArt, is wasting no time with its 2018 programme, director Steven Stead having posted notices this afternoon for auditions for an ensemble cast for the company’s planned production of the musical Camelot – and to find an actress to fill the title role in the company’s revival, at the end of this year, of the pantomime, Cinderella.

The auditions for both Cinderella and Camelot will be held in Durban in February, at the Playhouse Company’s rehearsal studios at 78 Ramsay Avenue, Mayville.

Auditions for Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot, which became a hit 1967 film teaming Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave, will take place on Sunday, February 4. KickstArt seeks men and women, aged between 18 and 50, who can sing and dance, to play featured knights, and courtiers in the musical, which takes place in the mythical court of King Arthur.

All interested in auditioning should arrive at 9.30am on Sunday, February 4, to enter their names on a list. They will be required to sing a song from a classic musical showing off range (be it soprano, alto, tenor or bass) and with a backing track. Successful applicants will then be asked to return in the afternoon for a group dance audition, men and women seperately.

Camelot will be rehearsed from April 22 to May 16, and runs at Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre until June 2. It will be directed by Steven Stead, with set designs by Greg King and costume designs by Terrence Bray.

Discussing Cinderella, Stead says: “We are looking for a young actress, aged between 16 and 26, with a sweet, strong voice, the right look, and most importantly, the right personality to play Cinderella, everybody’s favourite fairy tale heroine.”

“We want someone warm, sincere and loveable. She can be of any race group, and must be able to sing, dance and act in English to a high level. Like the prince in the story, I’ll know her when I see her.”

Cinderella will be rehearsed from November 12 and will be stage through December at Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, closing on January 6, 2019.

Anyone interested in auditioning should send a recent headshot and CV to kickstart@letni.co.za. Auditions for Cinderella will be held between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, February 3, and these will be by appointment only. Callbacks will be scheduled for later that week. Each applicant who gets a slot should prepare a Disney song with a backing track, and prepare a one-minute monologue that will demonstrate acting ability.

The auditions for both Cinderella and Camelot will be held at the Playhouse Company’s Mayville rehearsal studios, 78 Ramsay Avenue, Mayville.

For any further information email KickstArt Theatre at kickstart@letni.co.za.